EP3887609B1 - Control unit for a mobile sanitary device and mobile sanitary device comprising same - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a mobile sanitary facility, in particular for a rail vehicle, comprising a vacuum toilet, a flush button, a power supply, a control device and a control unit. The invention further relates to a control unit for a mobile sanitary facility, in particular for a mobile sanitary facility in a rail vehicle. The invention further relates to a method for configuring a mobile sanitary facility, in particular a mobile sanitary facility for a rail vehicle, and a method for controlling a mobile sanitary facility, in particular a mobile sanitary facility for a rail vehicle.

Mobile sanitary facilities with control units of the type described above are used on board vehicles, for example track-bound vehicles, in particular rail vehicles, buses, aircraft or watercraft, and in the sense of this description and the claims this is to be described with the term "mobile".

Conventional sanitary facilities in which both the supply of fresh water or flushing water and the removal of wastewater are carried out gravity-fed, i.e. by the influence of gravity alone, are not possible in many applications on board vehicles due to structural and spatial restrictions. It is therefore It is customary to supply fresh and rinsing water and remove waste water using an active drive, which is usually controlled by a control device. Such a control device is usually coupled to the components of the mobile sanitary facility by means of a control unit. In addition to the structural and design advantages, this can also speed up the water supply and drainage, which overall results in better hygiene and functionality of the sanitary facility.

US 9,951,504 B2 describes a toilet system for operation on board an aircraft. The toilet system includes a toilet bowl, a left-hand support bracket that supports the toilet bowl, and a right-hand support bracket that supports the toilet bowl. The lavatory system further includes a control box having a first set of pins and a harness connector configured to electrically couple the lavatory system to the aircraft.

DE10 2004 049823 A1 refers to a vacuum toilet for vehicles with a toilet bowl with a seat and lid as well as functional elements for the supply of flushing water for the generation and use of vacuum, for the use of compressed air to generate vacuum, for the use of electrical energy and for a program control unit as well as controls and sensors, actuators, indicators and the like. All elements are designed as modules or as independent components and are designed with socket/plug connecting elements for electrical connection to signal and energy conductors. The program control unit is only connected to one of the elements and adjacent elements are connected to one another and can receive and respond to control signals or forward them to other elements (plug-and-play system).

DE 10 2015 214636 A1 describes a toilet system to reduce toilet system failures and extend toilet system maintenance intervals. The toilet system includes a toilet bowl, a tank, a pipeline between a drain side of the toilet bowl and the tank, a first valve in the pipeline viewed from the toilet bowl and a control device for controlling operating states of the toilet system. The control device is designed, in response to a control signal for decommissioning, to supply a valve actuating element of the valve with energy in order to at least partially open the first valve and to interrupt the energy supply after opening the first valve. DE 102016118329 A1 relates to a control device of a motor vehicle with a first circuit board with control circuit parts for implementing basic functions for operating a device of a motor vehicle, the circuit board having at least one interface, and a second circuit board with control circuit parts for implementing additional functions for operating a device of a motor vehicle, the second Circuit board has at least one interface via which it is connected to the at least one interface of the first circuit board.

The installation of mobile sanitary facilities on board vehicles, especially rail vehicles, is complex. As a rule, a mobile sanitary facility is an individual product, with each mobile sanitary facility requiring an individual configuration of the individual components and/or assemblies. This is due, among other things, to different installation conditions in different vehicles. The complexity is also increased because diverging requirements can be placed on mobile sanitary facilities. Due to this high complexity and individuality of the mobile sanitary facilities to be installed, there is also a high level of complexity in the development and production among manufacturers of mobile sanitary facilities. This is due, among other things, to the fact that the individuality of the product means that only a few standards can be used, so that many individual parts of the mobile sanitary facility can be individually tailored to a specific project or configured for it. This results in high costs in development and production. The individuality of mobile sanitary facilities also increases the probability of errors, which results in a high level of control effort. This is particularly high for mobile sanitary facilities, as mobile sanitary facilities must be characterized by a particularly robust and error-free structure.

Mobile sanitary facilities are usually controlled by a control device. The control device can, for example, control a vacuum pump of the vacuum toilet. A control unit, which is also referred to as a control panel, regularly acts as an interface between a control device and the components of a mobile sanitary facility. There are basically two different ways to configure such a control unit. One possibility for constructing such control units is the clamping technology. Here, the control unit usually includes a large number of individual terminals, with each individual terminal being configured. One advantage of control units constructed using clamping technology is, among other things, that they have a high level of flexibility. It can therefore be very different

Devices of the mobile sanitary facility are coupled to the control device. A disadvantage of such a control unit constructed using clamping technology is that it is time-consuming to manufacture and therefore cost-intensive.

Another possibility for constructing control units is to provide a printed circuit board or a printed circuit board (PCB). A circuit board has an interconnection. Predefined functions can be implemented on a circuit board. A printed circuit board is in particular a carrier for electronic components and includes conductor tracks that act as conductive connections. The particular advantage of printed circuit boards is that they can be provided as standard components.

As a standard product, the circuit board can always be printed in the same way and can be equipped with electronic components in the same way. However, printed circuit boards are generally not characterized by a high level of flexibility. As a rule, printed circuit boards are provided on products that have a high number of units and a low configuration variance. Short-term changes or changes in the wiring lead to a lot of change effort. This change effort involves high one-off costs and long adjustment times are also required.

When developing and manufacturing mobile sanitary facilities, a decision must therefore be made as to whether the flexible but complex clamping technology should be used or the essentially non-flexible but inexpensive circuit board for large quantities. However, this always leads to compromises in terms of flexibility and costs.

Vehicles are usually designed to have a high passenger carrying capacity. In particular, as much seating and/or standing room as possible is provided. Therefore, when designing vehicles, attempts are made to ensure that traffic routes and sanitary rooms are as space-saving as possible. Mobile sanitary facilities must therefore be designed to save as much space as possible. In particular, it is necessary that the individual components of the mobile sanitary facility are designed to be compact.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a mobile sanitary device, a control unit for a mobile sanitary device, a method for configuring a mobile sanitary device and a method for controlling a mobile sanitary device, which reduce one or more of the aforementioned disadvantages or remove. It is a particular object of the present invention to provide a solution that enables flexible and cost-effective development and production of mobile sanitary facilities. Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a mobile sanitary facility that is as space-saving as possible.

According to a first aspect, this object is achieved by a mobile sanitary device, in particular for a rail vehicle, comprising a vacuum toilet, a flush button, a power supply, a control device and a control unit, the control unit comprising: a standard circuit board for guiding predefined signals, which has a standard interface comprising a vacuum toilet connection means for connecting a vacuum toilet, a flush button connection means for connecting a flush button, and a power supply connection means for connecting a power supply, a configuration circuit board for carrying signals, which has a configuration interface with a first configuration connection means, wherein the vacuum toilet -Connection means, the flush button connection means, the voltage supply connection means and the first configuration connection means are conductively coupled to one another, the configuration interface being set up so that the configuration circuit board is coupled to the control device, and at least one signal carried by the standard circuit board and/or by the configuration circuit board can be picked up, processed and/or controlled by the control device.

Circuit boards are also known as circuit boards. The standard circuit board and/or the configuration circuit board is preferably designed as a printed circuit board. The standard circuit board and/or the configuration circuit board preferably comprises an electrically insulating material. Conductive connections, the so-called conductor tracks, are also preferably arranged on this material. The electrically insulating material of the standard circuit board and/or the configuration circuit board can be, for example, a fiber-reinforced plastic or a hard paper.

The standard circuit board includes the standard interface. The standard interface includes at least the vacuum toilet connection means, the flush button connection means and the power supply connection means. The vacuum toilet connection means is set up in such a way that a vacuum toilet can be connected to the standard circuit board. By connecting the vacuum toilet to the Vacuum toilet connection means make it possible to connect the vacuum toilet to the control device. Furthermore, a signal sent to the control unit can thus be routed to the vacuum toilet via the vacuum toilet connection means and a suitable line between the vacuum toilet connection means and the vacuum toilet. Such a control signal can, for example, control a vacuum pump or a compressed air valve of the vacuum toilet.

The flush button connection means is set up to connect the flush button of the mobile sanitary facility to the standard circuit board. The standard circuit board is preferably set up to direct a flush button signal to the vacuum toilet in such a way that the flush signal causes a flushing process there. This flushing signal can be sent, for example, by the control device.

In addition, the standard interface of the standard circuit board has the power supply connection means, which is set up to connect a power supply. Preferably, the voltage supply connection means is coupled to a voltage converter. The voltage converter is preferably arranged on the control unit.

Furthermore, the standard circuit board is preferably set up in such a way that only a vacuum toilet, a flush button and a power supply can be connected to the standard interface. The connection means of the standard interface are preferably designed as plug connections. In particular, it is preferred that the connection means of the standard interface are provided as standardized connection means. The plug connection can be designed, for example, as a pin strip.

The configuration interface with the first configuration connection means on the configuration circuit board is characterized by a high level of connection flexibility. The configuration interface with the first configuration connection means is set up to tap, process and/or control at least one signal carried by the standard circuit board and/or the configuration circuit board by the control device. This means that the signal curve of the standard circuit board can be intervened using the configuration interface.

In particular, the possibility of a signal carried by the standard circuit board and/or the configuration circuit board being controlled by the control device makes it possible for individual signal manipulation. In particular it is Preferably, two or more signals carried by the standard circuit board and/or configuration circuit board can be tapped, controlled and/or processed via the configuration interface. Furthermore, it is preferred that two or more signals carried by the standard circuit board and/or the configuration circuit board can be controlled by the control device. Furthermore, it is preferred that any signals carried by the standard circuit board and/or the configuration circuit board can be tapped, processed and/or controlled.

The vacuum toilet connection means, the flush button connection means and the power supply connection means as well as the first configuration connection means are preferably conductively coupled to a cable harness and can therefore be connected to other components. The cable harness preferably includes female connectors, which can be designed, for example, in two rows. As a result, components of a mobile sanitary facility, such as a vacuum toilet, flush button and/or power supply, can be connected to the control unit and signals can be transmitted. Furthermore, signals from the control device can be transmitted to components of the mobile sanitary facility via the standard circuit board and the connection means mentioned above.

The control unit described above is based, among other things, on the knowledge that mobile sanitary facilities generally have an overlap of always the same functionalities. These functionalities can be implemented on the standard circuit board. Thanks to the standard interfaces with the vacuum toilet connection means, the flush button connection means and the power supply connection means, it is possible to connect the components to be connected to it with a standard connector.

The control unit is also based on the knowledge that this standard configuration for the standard functions can be individually expanded using a configuration interface. The flexibility of the control unit is increased, in particular by the possibility of picking up, processing or controlling signals carried by the standard circuit board and/or the configuration circuit board. Due to a control unit as described above, two target variables that were previously impossible or difficult to reconcile in the area of control units for mobile sanitary facilities, namely a high degree of standardization and a high level of flexibility, can be combined with one another.

The control unit described enables the extensive use of standard components. The control unit can be used as a standard component in a variety of individually configured mobile sanitary facilities. The control unit thus offers the efficiency explained above through the standard circuit board, which in the past limited flexibility too much. However, the configuration circuit board now makes it possible to increase the flexibility of the control unit. This flexibility, which was achieved in the past through terminal block technology, can now be achieved through the configuration interface. The control unit, in conjunction with a wiring harness, preferably allows for the elimination of any clamping technology and individual wiring during assembly. As a result, assembly is reduced to installing the assemblies and attaching the wiring harness. Furthermore, the control unit enables a standardized base plate on which the control unit can also be arranged. The interfaces also enable a standardized configuration matrix made up of different, predefined cables that only vary in length. Due to the standardized control unit, test stands can also be simplified and require less effort. Furthermore, the standardized control unit enables simplified processes in production, cost calculation and purchasing, since a minimum inventory level can be defined for the standardized control unit.

In addition to the high degree of standardization, the invention was based on the knowledge that a compact design of the control unit is possible through a standard circuit board and a configuration circuit board. Conventional control units require a lot of space due to the large number of terminals or the two-dimensionally aligned circuit board. The control unit described above enables the three-dimensional arrangement of the two circuit boards and thus a compact design of the control unit. Thanks to the compact control unit, the mobile sanitary facility can be designed to save space. As a result, the mobile sanitary facility takes up less space in a vehicle, which can increase the passenger carrying capacity.

In a preferred development of the mobile sanitary facility it is provided that the standard circuit board and the configuration circuit board are coupled to one another using a coupling means, the coupling means preferably being designed as a flexible connector. The coupling with the coupling means enables the standard circuit board and the configuration circuit board to be arranged individually on the control unit, in particular in a housing of the control unit. In particular, they can Standard circuit board and the configuration circuit board can be arranged to save space in order to enable a compact design of the control unit.

A further preferred development of the mobile sanitary device is characterized in that the control unit has a housing with a cavity, the standard circuit board and the configuration circuit board being arranged in the cavity. The flat extensions of the standard circuit board and the configuration circuit board preferably enclose a circuit board angle with one another. In addition, the configuration circuit board can be arranged essentially vertically within the housing and/or the standard circuit board can be arranged tilted relative to the vertical. The standard circuit board and/or the configuration circuit board may be spaced from the housing. In particular, it is preferred that the standard circuit board and/or the configuration circuit board are each arranged at a distance from an inside of the housing by means of spacer elements, in particular sleeves. The attachment can be carried out using fastening elements, for example using rivets, which extend through the sleeves.

In addition, it is preferred that the standard circuit board has an upper standard edge and a lower standard edge arranged opposite this, the configuration circuit board has an upper individual edge and a lower individual edge arranged opposite this, the upper standard edge having less objection from the upper individual edge than the lower standard edge is arranged from the lower individual edge, and preferably the coupling means is arranged in an area adjacent to the upper standard edge and/or in an area adjacent to the upper individual edge.

In a preferred embodiment variant of the mobile sanitary facility it is provided that the configuration interface comprises a second configuration connection means, the second configuration connection means is set up to control at least one relay, preferably two or more relays, wherein preferably the relay is set up as a pluggable relay, and where preferably the second configuration connection means comprises a relay base or is designed as a relay base.

The relay socket is preferably arranged on the configuration circuit board. It is particularly preferred that two or more, in particular three, relay sockets are arranged on the configuration circuit board. Furthermore, it is preferred that the relay does this is set up to switch a coil voltage of less than or equal to 24 volts and/or less than or equal to 72 volts and/or less than or equal to 110 volts and/or greater than or equal to 110 volts. In addition, the relay can be set up to have a coil voltage of 16 volts to 32 volts, in particular from 16.8 volts to 31.2 volts, and / or from 50 volts to 94 volts, in particular from 50.4 volts to 93.6 Volts, and/or to switch from 77 volts to 143 volts.

A further preferred development of the control unit is characterized in that it comprises a third configuration connection means for supplying voltage with less than or equal to 24 volts and/or less than or equal to 72 volts and/or less than or equal to 110 volts and/or greater than or equal to 110 volts. Furthermore, the control unit preferably comprises a fourth configuration connection means for supplying voltage with less than or equal to 24 volts and/or less than or equal to 72 volts and/or less than or equal to 110 volts and/or greater than or equal to 110 volts. Furthermore, the third configuration connection means and/or the fourth configuration connection means can have a voltage supply of 16 volts to 32 volts, in particular from 16.8 volts to 31.2 volts. In addition, the third configuration connection means and/or the fourth configuration connection means can have a voltage supply of 50 volts to 94 volts, in particular from 50.4 volts to 93.6 volts. Furthermore, the third configuration connection means and/or the fourth configuration connection means can have a voltage supply of 77 volts to 143 volts. Furthermore, it is preferred that the third configuration connection means and/or the fourth configuration connection means is arranged on the configuration circuit board.

According to a further preferred embodiment variant of the control unit, it is provided that it comprises a standard connection side, with the standard interface being arranged on the standard connection side. Preferably, the standard circuit board is arranged on an inside of the housing adjacent to the standard connection side. Furthermore, the control unit preferably comprises a configuration connection side on which the configuration interface is arranged. Preferably, the configuration circuit board is arranged on an inside of the housing adjacent to the configuration connection side.

In addition, the control unit can include an operating side, with switches preferably being arranged on the operating side, as will be explained in more detail below. The standard connection side and/or the configuration connection side preferably have passage openings. The passage openings are preferably set up in such a way that the vacuum toilet connection means, the flush button connection means, the power supply connection means and/or the configuration connection means can protrude through this. Furthermore, the connection means mentioned above can preferably be reached through the passage openings.

Preferably, the mobile sanitary device comprises a voltage converter coupled to the standard circuit board and/or the configuration circuit board, which is set up to convert a supply voltage into a working voltage. Furthermore, the mobile sanitary facility can have a diagnostic device coupled to the standard circuit board and/or the configuration circuit board for analyzing a system state. In addition, it is preferred that the mobile sanitary device has a maintenance device coupled to the standard circuit board and/or the configuration circuit board for analyzing maintenance-relevant signals.

Furthermore, it is preferred that the vacuum toilet connection means, the flush button connection means and/or the power supply connection means are set up to each form a plug connection. Furthermore, a terminal strip can be arranged on the control unit using a plug connection.

The vacuum toilet connection means, flush button connection means and power supply connection means designed as a plug-in connection mean that standard cables that have standard plugs can be used. As a result, the level of standardization is increased. The control unit is preferably designed to be free of terminal strips, which means in particular that it does not have a terminal strip. If the area of application of a control unit requires that a terminal strip be provided, this can be arranged on the control unit using a plug connection.

Furthermore, it is preferred that the first configuration connection means and/or the second configuration connection means and/or the third configuration connection means and/or the fourth configuration connection means is/are designed as a pin strip. In particular, the pin headers can be designed in a single row. Such pin headers are preferably made of polyamide. The poles can, for example, consist of or include electrolytic copper.

According to a preferred embodiment variant of the control unit, it is provided that it comprises a switch, the switch being arranged and designed so that it can be coupled to the standard circuit board and/or the configuration circuit board.

Preferably, the switch can be plugged into the standard circuit board and/or the configuration circuit board. Furthermore, the control unit preferably comprises two or more switches, wherein the two or more switches are arranged and designed so that they can be coupled to the standard circuit board and/or the configuration circuit board. The switches are preferably pluggable and can be coupled to the standard circuit board and/or the configuration circuit board. Preferably the switch or switches are coupled to the standard circuit board and/or the configuration circuit board. The switch or switches can be assigned an on and off function, a frost emptying function and/or an error acknowledgment.

Furthermore, it is preferred that the standard circuit board has an emergency call button connection means for connecting an emergency call button, and/or a light button connection means for connecting a light button, in particular for a faucet, and/or a faucet valve connection means for connecting a faucet valve control, and/or a tank level indicator connection means for connecting a tank level indicator preferably includes a first tank level indicator connection means and a second tank level indicator connection means, and/or a waste water tank sensor connection means for connecting a waste water tank sensor, and/or a transducer connection means for connecting a transducer, in particular for a fresh water tank.

Furthermore, the standard circuit board can have one, two or more connection means for a diagnostic and maintenance device, and/or a display device, in particular a multi-status display device, and/or a voltage converter.

In addition, it is preferred that the mobile sanitary device comprises an individual device, wherein the individual device is coupled to the control unit by means of the first configuration connection means, wherein the individual device is preferably designed as a frost emptying device. In addition, the individual device can be designed as a lighting device, as a thermostat or as a power supply. Preferably, two or more individual devices are included in the mobile sanitary facility.

The configuration interface with the first configuration connection means makes it possible to connect any devices to the mobile sanitary facility. As a result, despite the high level of connection flexibility, the level of standardization of the mobile sanitary facility is high, meaning that the development and production of the mobile Sanitary facilities can be designed efficiently. Furthermore, the control unit offers a high level of flexibility in that individual devices can be connected to it using the configuration interface. In particular, it is preferred that the control device is set up to control the vacuum toilet and/or the flush button in such a way that the flush button and the vacuum toilet are operationally connected. In particular, it is preferred that as soon as the flush button is pressed, the components of the vacuum toilet act in such a way that a flushing process is carried out. Due to the compact design of the control unit with two circuit boards, the mobile sanitary facility can be designed to save space, so that the transport capacity of vehicles equipped with the mobile sanitary facility is increased.

According to a further aspect, the task mentioned at the outset is achieved by a control unit for a mobile sanitary facility according to one of the embodiment variants described above, with a standard circuit board for guiding predefined signals, which has a standard interface, comprising a vacuum toilet connection means for connecting a vacuum toilet, a flush button connection means for connecting a flush button, and a power supply connection means for connecting a power supply, a configuration circuit board for guiding signals, which has a configuration interface with a first configuration connection means, the vacuum toilet connection means, the flush button connection means, the power supply connection means and the first configuration connection means are conductively coupled to one another, wherein the configuration interface is set up so that the configuration circuit board can be coupled to a control device, and at least one signal carried by the standard circuit board and/or from the configuration circuit board can be picked up, processed and/or controlled by the control device.

According to a further aspect, the task mentioned at the outset is achieved by a method for configuring a mobile sanitary facility, in particular a mobile sanitary facility for a rail vehicle, comprising: providing a vacuum toilet, a flush button, a power supply and a control unit with a standard circuit board for guiding predefined signals, which has a standard interface comprising a vacuum toilet connection means for connecting a vacuum toilet, a flush button connection means for connecting a flush button, a power supply connection means for connecting a power supply, and a configuration circuit board for carrying signals, which has a configuration interface comprising a first Configuration connection means, wherein the vacuum toilet connection means, the flush button connection means, the power supply connection means and the first configuration connection means are conductively coupled to one another, connecting the vacuum toilet to the vacuum toilet connection means, the flush button to the flush button connection means and the voltage supply to the flush button connection means , and connecting a non-predefined individual device to the first configuration connection means.

According to a further aspect, the task mentioned at the outset is achieved by a method for controlling a mobile sanitary facility, in particular a mobile sanitary facility for a rail vehicle, comprising the steps: providing a mobile sanitary facility according to one of the embodiment variants described above, connecting one or the control device to the Configuration circuit board by means of the first configuration connection means, and controlling and/or tapping and/or processing a signal carried by the configuration circuit board.

The methods and their possible further developments have features or method steps that make them particularly suitable for being used for a described control unit and a mobile sanitary facility and their respective further developments. For further advantages, design variants and design details of these further aspects and their possible further developments, reference is also made to the previous description of the corresponding features and further developments of the mobile sanitary facility.

Figur 1:

eine schematische, dreidimensionale Ansicht einer ersten beispielhaften Ausführungsform einer Steuereinheit;

Figur 2:

eine weitere schematische, dreidimensionale Ansicht der Steuereinheit aus Figur 1;

Figur 3:

eine schematische, dreidimensionale gebrochene Ansicht der Steuereinheit aus Figur 1;

Figur 4:

eine schematische, dreidimensionale Ansicht einer weiteren beispielhaften Ausführungsform einer Steuereinheit;

Figur 5:

eine schematische, dreidimensionale Ansicht einer weiteren beispielhaften Ausführungsform einer Steuereinheit;

Figur 6:

eine schematische, dreidimensionale Ansicht einer weiteren beispielhaften Ausführungsform einer Steuereinheit;

Figur 7:

eine schematische Ansicht einer mobilen Sanitäreinrichtung.

Preferred exemplary embodiments are explained using the accompanying figures as examples. Show it:

Figure 1:

a schematic, three-dimensional view of a first exemplary embodiment of a control unit;

Figure 2:

Another schematic, three-dimensional view of the control unit Figure 1 ;

Figure 3:

a schematic, three-dimensional broken view of the control unit Figure 1 ;

Figure 4:

a schematic, three-dimensional view of another exemplary embodiment of a control unit;

Figure 5:

a schematic, three-dimensional view of another exemplary embodiment of a control unit;

Figure 6:

a schematic, three-dimensional view of another exemplary embodiment of a control unit;

Figure 7:

a schematic view of a mobile sanitary facility.

In the figures, identical or essentially functionally identical or similar elements are designated with the same reference numerals.

Figure 1 shows a schematic, three-dimensional view of a first exemplary embodiment of a control unit 300. The control unit 300 extends from the first secondary page 302 to the second secondary page 304. The vertically aligned third secondary page 306 and the vertically aligned third secondary page 306 extend between the first secondary page 302 and the second secondary page 304 horizontally oriented top 308. The third secondary side 306 and the top 308 are spaced apart in the vertical direction and horizontal direction. The standard connection side 310 extends between the third secondary side 306 and the top 308 and between the first secondary side 302 and the second secondary side 304.

A standard interface 311 is arranged on the standard connection side 310 and is comprised by a standard circuit board 320. The standard interface 311 has a vacuum toilet connection means 312, a flush button connection means 314 and a power supply connection means 316. Components of a mobile sanitary device, which will be explained in more detail below, can be arranged on the vacuum toilet connection means 312, the flush button connection means 314 and the power supply connection means 316, namely a vacuum toilet, a flush button and a power supply. The standard connection side 310 includes further connection means in this exemplary embodiment. The other connection means are set up for a second flush button, three call for help buttons, a sensor for a fresh water tank, two tank level indicators, a faucet valve, a faucet sensor and button, two multifunction displays, four additional sensors and four additional actuators. Those mentioned above Components of a mobile sanitary facility can also be standard components. These components can in particular be coupled to the control unit 300 using standardized cables. Furthermore, the standard circuit board coupled to these connection means and described in more detail below can be produced as a standard, since it can always be set up for the components mentioned above.

In the Figure 2 The configuration connection side 350 of the control unit 300 shown is vertically aligned and extends from the first secondary side 302 to the second secondary side 304. A configuration interface 351 is arranged on the configuration connection side 350 and is comprised by a configuration circuit board 360. The configuration interface 351 includes a first configuration connection means 352, a second configuration connection means 354 and a third configuration connection means 356. Any components of a mobile sanitary facility can be connected to the first configuration connection means 352, the second configuration connection means 354, the third configuration connection means 356 and the further connection means arranged on the configuration interface 351 become. The further connection means are designed, for example, as relay controls or plug-in relays.

Figure 3 shows a broken side view of the control unit 300. A cavity 301 is formed through the sides 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 350. The standard circuit board 320 and the configuration circuit board 360 are arranged in the cavity 301. The standard circuit board 320 is arranged parallel to the surface behind the standard connection side 310. The connection means 312, 314, 316 available on the standard connection side 310 are connected to the standard circuit board 320 and protrude from it through openings in the standard connection side 310. The standard circuit board 320 is fixed at a distance from the standard connection side 310. The spacing takes place via a first spacer element 322 and a second spacer element 326. The spacer elements 322, 326 are designed as sleeves. The standard circuit board 320 is fixed to the standard connection side 310 by means of the first fastening element 324 and the second fastening element 328. The fastening elements 324, 328 are designed as rivets.

The configuration circuit board 350 is arranged parallel to the surface behind the configuration connection side 350. The connection means 352, 354, 356 available on the configuration connection side 350 are with the Configuration circuit board 350 connected and protrude from it through openings in the configuration connection side 350. The configuration circuit board 350 is fixed at a distance from the configuration connection side 350. The spacing and fixing takes place in an analogous manner to that of the standard circuit board 320 with third, fourth and fifth spacer elements 362, 366, 370, which are designed as sleeves, and with third, fourth and fifth fastening elements 364, 368, 372, which are designed as rivets are.

The standard circuit board 320 and the configuration circuit board 360 are coupled to one another with a coupling element 380. By coupling the standard circuit board 320 and the configuration circuit board 360, the components of the mobile sanitary facility connected to the standard circuit board 320 can be accessed from the configuration interface 351. In particular, signals can be tapped, processed or controlled. This means you can intervene in the standard configuration.

Figure 4 shows a schematic, three-dimensional view of a further exemplary embodiment of a control unit. The control unit 1 has an operating side 3, a standard connection side 2 and a configuration connection side 4. The operating page 3 is essentially aligned horizontally. The configuration connection page 4 is essentially vertically aligned. The standard connection side 2 extends between the operating side 3 and the configuration connection side 4. The operating side 3 is arranged in the vertical direction at a first height. The configuration connection side 4 extends in the vertical direction up to a second height. The first height is greater than the second height. As in Figure 1 As shown, the first height is more than twice as large as the second height. Due to the differences between the first height and the second height, the standard connection side 2 is arranged at an angle. This means in particular that a surface orthogonal of the standard connection side 2 has a horizontal and a vertical component.

The standard interface 42 is arranged on the standard connection side 2. The standard interface 42 is formed by a variety of connection means. The connection means of the standard interface 42 are designed as plug connectors. By way of example, the vacuum toilet connection means 10, the flush button connection means 12 and the power supply connection means 14 are provided with a reference number. The standard interface 42 with the vacuum toilet connection means 10, the flush button connection means 12 and the power supply connection means 14 is on a standard circuit board, not shown, is arranged inside the control unit 1. In the Figure 4 Connection means shown in the form of pin headers of the configuration circuit board arranged within the control unit protrude through through openings within the standard connection side.

A first configuration connection means 20, a second configuration connection means 22 and a third configuration connection means 24 are arranged on the configuration connection side 4. The first, second and third configuration connection means 20, 22, 24 are coupled within the control unit to a configuration interface arranged on the configuration circuit board. The configuration interfaces are explained in more detail below.

A first switch 30, a second switch 32 and a third switch 34 are arranged on the operating side 3. In addition, a display device 36 is provided on the operating side 3. The display device 36 can be set up, for example, to display error codes. In addition, a diagnostic and maintenance device 37 is arranged on the operating side.

Figure 5 shows a schematic, three-dimensional view of a further exemplary embodiment of a control unit. This alternative design of the control unit 1' also includes a standard connection side 2', which is also arranged inclined. The configuration connection side 4 'is arranged horizontally, with parts of the functionalities of the in Figure 4 shown operating page 3 are arranged here on the configuration connection side 4 ', for example the first switch 30 '. In the present embodiment variant of the control unit 1', it comprises a large number of connection means on the standard connection side 2'. A first configuration connection means 20' and a second configuration connection means 22' are arranged on the configuration connection side 4'.

Figure 6 shows a schematic, three-dimensional view of a further exemplary embodiment of a control unit. The control unit 1" in turn includes a standard connection side 2" with a variety of connection means. Furthermore, it includes a configuration connection side 4" with a first configuration connection means 20", a second configuration connection means 22" and a third configuration connection means 24".

The ones in the Figures 1 to 7 The control unit 1, 1', 1", 300 shown enables the efficient and cost-effective development and production of a mobile sanitary device 100. The standard interface 42, 311 on the standard circuit board 320 enables the standardized connection of standard components, such as a vacuum toilet 110, a flush button 120 and a power supply 130. However, since such rigid configurations are generally not sufficient in the project-related business of mobile sanitary facilities, the control unit 1, 1 ', 1", 300 also offers the possibility of connecting further components to the configuration interface 44, 351 to connect mobile sanitary facility 100. Such a non-standard component can be, for example, a frost emptying device.

However, the control unit 1, 1', 1", 300 can always be provided as a standard component. The standard circuit board and the configuration circuit board and, if necessary, also the housing of the control unit 1, 1', 1", 300 must therefore be manufactured as standard. The individuality is fully reflected in the wiring harness as a specific component, so that the individuality is reduced to the wiring harness. By replacing the wiring harness, a completely new function can be implemented on the control unit 1, 1', 1", 300. If necessary, the entire control unit 1, 1', 1", 300 can be provided as standard. Thus, the control unit 1, 1', 1", 300 can be manufactured in series production, so that economies of scale are achieved and costs are reduced. The control unit 1, 1', 1", 300 can still be used in a wide variety of projects between the hardware components of a mobile sanitary facility 110 , 120, 130 and a control device 200 and still enables the flexible design of the mobile sanitary facility 100.

REFERENCE MARKS

1, 1', 1",

Control unit

2, 2', 2"

Standard connection side

3

Operating page

4, 4', 4"

Configuration connection page

6

Grounding element

7

Voltage converter

10

Vacuum toilet connection means

12

Flush button connection means

14

Power supply connection means

20, 20', 20"

first configuration connection means

22, 22', 22"

second configuration connection means

24, 24"

third configuration connection means

30, 30'

first switch

32

second switch

34

third switch

36

Display device

37

Diagnostic and maintenance device

100

Sanitary facility

110

Vacuum toilet

120

Flush button

130

Power supply

200

Control device

300

Control unit

301

cavity

302

first side page

304

second side page

306

third side page

308

Top

310

Standard connection side

311

Standard interface

312

Vacuum toilet connection means

314

Flush button connection means

316

Power supply connection means

320

Standard PCB

322

first spacer element

324

first fastener

Claims (14)

1. A control unit (1, 1', 1", 300) for a mobile sanitary device (100), in particular for a rail vehicle, comprising a vacuum toilet (110), a flush button (120), a voltage supply (130), a control device (200), and the control unit (1, 1', 1", 300), wherein the control unit (1, 1', 1", 300) includes:

   - a circuit board (320) for carrying predefined signals, which has a standard interface (311), the standard interface (311) including

   o a vacuum toilet connection means (10, 312) for connecting a vacuum toilet (110),

   o a flush button connection means (12, 314) for connecting a flush button (120),

   o a voltage supply connection means (14, 316) for connecting a voltage supply (130), wherein the vacuum toilet connection means (10, 312), the flush button connection means (12, 314) and the voltage supply connection means (14, 316) are conductively coupled to one another, and wherein

   o at least one signal carried by the circuit board (320) can be tapped, processed and/or activated by the control device (200); characterized in that

   - the control unit further comprises a configuration circuit board (360) for carrying signals, the configuration circuit board comprising a configuration interface (44, 351) having a first configuration connection means (45, 352) conductively coupled to the vacuum toilet connection means (10, 312), the flush button connection means (12, 314) and the voltage supply connection means (14, 316),

   - the configuration interface (44, 351) being arranged such that the configuration circuit board (360) can be coupled to the control device (200).
2. The control unit (1, 1', 1", 300) according to claim 1, wherein

   - the circuit board (320) and the configuration circuit board (360) are coupled to each other via a coupling means (380), the coupling means (380) being formed preferably as a flex connector.
3. The control unit (1, 1', 1", 300) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein

   - the control unit (300) comprises a housing with a cavity (301), the circuit board (320) and the configuration circuit board (360) being arranged within the cavity (301), and

   - the planar extensions of the circuit board (320) and of the configuration circuit board (360) include a circuit board angle between them, and

   - preferably the configuration circuit board (360) is arranged to be substantially vertical within the housing and/or the circuit board (320) is arranged to be tilted with respect to the vertical.
4. The control unit (1, 1', 1", 300) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein

   - the configuration interface (351) includes a second configuration connection means,

   - the second configuration connection means is arranged for driving at least one relay.
5. The control unit (1, 1', 1", 300) according to claim 4, wherein

   - the relay is arranged for switching a coil voltage of less than or equal to 24 volt, less than or equal to 72 volt, less than or equal to 110 volt or greater than or equal to 110 volt.
6. The control unit (1, 1', 1", 300) according to any of the preceding claims, including

   - a third and optionally a fourth configuration connection means for a voltage supply with 16 volt to 32 volt; in particular with 16.8 volt to 31.2 volt, or with 50 volt to 94 volt, in particular with 50.4 volt to 93.6 volt, or with 77 volt to 143 volt, wherein preferably

   - the third configuration connection means or the fourth configuration connection means is arranged on the configuration circuit board (360).
7. The control unit (1, 1', 1", 300) according to any of the preceding claims, further including at least

   - a voltage converter (7) coupled to the circuit board and/or the configuration circuit board (360), which is arranged to convert a supply voltage into a working voltage,

   - a diagnostic device (37) coupled to the circuit board (320) and/or the configuration circuit board (360) and intended for analyzing a system state, and

   - a maintenance device (37) coupled to the circuit board (320) and/or the configuration circuit board (360) and intended for analyzing signals relevant to maintenance.
8. The control unit (1, 1', 1", 300) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein

   - the vacuum toilet connection means (10), the flush button connection means (12) and the voltage supply connection means (14) are each arranged for forming a plug-in connection,

   - the control unit (1, 1', 1", 300) is preferably designed so as to have no terminal block.
9. The control unit (1, 1', 1", 300) according to claim 6, wherein

   - at least the first configuration connection means, the second configuration connection means, the third configuration connection means, and the fourth configuration connection means is/are designed as a pin block.
10. The control unit (1, 1', 1", 300) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the circuit board (320) includes at least:

    - an emergency call button connection means for connecting an emergency call button,

    - a light button connection means for connecting a light button, in particular for a water tap,

    - a faucet valve connection means for connecting a faucet valve control,

    - a tank level indicator connection means for connecting a tank level indicator,

    - a waste water tank sensor connection means for connecting a waste water tank sensor, and

    - a transducer connection means for connecting a transducer, in particular for a fresh water tank.
11. The control unit (1, 1', 1", 300) according to any of the preceding claims, including

    - an individual device, the individual device being coupled to the configuration circuit board by means of the first configuration connection means.
12. A mobile sanitary device (100), in particular for a rail vehicle, including a vacuum toilet (110), a flush button (120), a voltage supply (130), a control device (200), and a control unit (1, 1', 1", 300) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein

    - the control device (200) is arranged to control the vacuum toilet (110) and/or the flush button (120), in particular in such a manner that the flush button (120) and the vacuum toilet (110) are in an operative relationship.
13. A Method of configuring a mobile sanitary device (100), in particular a mobile sanitary device (100) for a rail vehicle, including

    - providing a mobile sanitary device according to claim 12, or a vacuum toilet (110), a flush button (120), a voltage supply (130) and a control unit (1, 1', 1", 300) according to any of claims 1 to 11,

    - connecting the vacuum toilet (110) to the vacuum toilet connection means (10), connecting the flush button (120) to the flush button connection means (12), and connecting the voltage supply (130) to the flush button connection means (12), and

    - connecting a non-predefined individual device to the first configuration connection means.
14. A method of controlling a mobile sanitary device (100), in particular a mobile sanitary device (100) for a rail vehicle, including

    - providing a mobile sanitary device (100) having a control unit (1, 1', 1", 300) according to any of claims 1 to 11, or a mobile sanitary device according to claim 12,

    - connecting a or the control device (200) to the configuration circuit board (360) by means of the first configuration connection means, and

    - activating and/or tapping and/or processing a signal carried by the configuration circuit board (360).

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